A warning has been issued earlier today in forecast of a storm that is forming in the Atlantic, considered a category 2 hurricane, which will hit northern Portugal. Heavy rain and wind squalls of up to 160 km/h are expected in the region.
The Impact will instead face another third division club Boavista FC, Thursday March 4, at 3 pm (10 am, Eastern time). Boavista is a prestigious club in Portugal, which won the national championship in 2001, took part in the Champions League in 2000 and 2002 and was semifinalist in the UEFA Cup in 2003. The match against Boavista will be played in Porto, at Estadio do Bessa XXI, a stadium that can host 30,000 people.
“I discussed with the coach of Ribeirao this morning. He explained to me that their field is in a sorry state and is flooded due to the heavy rains that have already fallen on the city,” explained Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “It’s unfortunate not to be able to play today as planned, but it’s somehow a blessing in disguise because we will get the chance to play against a famous club, in a stadium with a lot of history.”
Today, the Impact will hold an indoor training session and tomorrow, players will take their first day off since arriving in Portugal on February 22.
The match against first division club Rio Ave FC is still slated on March 3.
To get real-time information about the Impact’s trip in Portugal, visit impactmontreal on Twitter.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
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